171. Iesus speaks about paradise
'What think ye,'
said Iesus to his disciples,
'of paradise? Is there a mind that could comprehend such riches and delights? Man must needs have a knowledge as great as God's if he would know what God willeth to give to his servants.
'Have ye seen when Herod maketh a present to one of his favourite barons, in what sort he presenteth it?'
John answered:
'I have seen it twice; and assuredly the tenth part of that which he giveth would be sufficient for a poor man.'
Said Iesus:
'But if a poor man shall be presented to Herod what will he give to him?'
John answered:
'One or two mites.'
'Now let this be your book wherein to study the knowledge of paradise,'
{said Iesus}:
'because all that God hath given to man in this present world for his body is [as] though Herod should give a mite to a poor man; but what God will give to the body and soul in paradise is [as] though Herod should give all that he hath, yea and his own life, to one of his servants.'